NATCHITOCHES, LOUISIANA...The University of Texas at Arlington evened up its Southland Conference record as the bullpen shut down the Northwestern State bats in a 8-2 victory in Game 2 of the conference opening series.

The Mavericks (11-12, 1-1) got on the scoreboard in the third inning as Kasey Baker hit a one out double down the right field line and advanced to third on an error by right fielder Steven Adams. Aaron Batlle followed with an RBI single to right field.

The Demons (14-7, 1-1) tied the score up in the fourth inning as a hit batter came around to score on an Anatole Vincent down the left field line. NWLa. loaded the bases in the inning, but starter Ricky Stover enticed a ground ball to shortstop to end the inning.

UTA regained the lead in the fifth inning as Robby Deevers led off by being hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a groundout to first base by Dustin Bozarth. Baker followed with a single to left center field moving moving Deevers to third base and advancing to second on the throw. Batlle reached on a walk and with two outs, Darrell Preston doubled down the right field line to score Deevers and Baker.

NWLa. answered back with one run in the home half of the fifth inning as a walk and a hit batter, followed by a single to right field loaded the bases. Josh Boop plated the runner with a sacrifice fly to center field.

UTA added two runs in the seventh inning as Baker walked to lead off the inning and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Batlle grounded out to the right side moving Baker to third. Roberts followed with a walk and Preston grounded into a fielder's chocie scoring Baker. Taylor followed with a two out double to right center field scoring Preston from first with the fifth run of the game.

The Mavs added an insurance run in the eighth inning as Scott Williams led off with a single bach through the box. Back-to-back groundouts to the right side by Deevers and Bozarth moved Williams to third. A wild pitch by reliever Cory Keener allowed Williams to score from third.

UTA was not finished with the offense as Preston and Taylor reached base in the eighth inning on a walk and hit by pitch, respectively. Paul Bruder sacrificed both runners and Williams plated Preston with a sacrifice fly to right field. Deevers scored Taylor on a single through the left side of the infield.

Mike Snapp (2-2) picked up the win by pitching 4.1 innings in relief allowing one hit while striking out two. Snapp and Stover combined to allow only four Demon hits in the game. Aaron Gravis (3-3) took the loss by allowing four runs, three earned, on six hits in six innings of work.

Baker led the offense with his second straight three hit game. He also scored three runs. Batlle and Preston each collected two hits, while Preston knocked in three runs.

The Mavericks and Demons close out the three-game series tomorrow afternoon in a 1 p.m. matinee at Brown-Stroud Field.